Hello folks, after browsing the different threads throughout the 'Forum, I've come to understand that there are quite a number of knowledgeable people here.

I'm seeking some suggestions for a handgun with little recoil but that still delivers some significant energy to the target. I have a Ruger Security-Six 357/38 DA revolver that was my father-in-law's service revolver which I enjoy shooting but my wife won't shoot it because of the recoil. She is a very good shot with a 22LR rifle and she said she would like to shoot a handgun if it didn't have the recoil of the Ruger.

So far, I've had a friend suggest a 22mag revolver, but have yet to try it. Neither of us intend to conceal carry, but we want to become sufficently skilled to take care of any 'business' we may be faced with (either toothy or two-legged), but mostly to target shoot.

Thanx

Ruger makes a single six model with interchangeable cylinder for .22 LR and .22 Mag.... if you want to stay with a .22.

On the other hand, I've shot lots of pistols, and found Sig Sauers to be of the best mannered. I don't think you can go wrong with a Sig P229 in 9mm. They are kinda spendy though. A less expensive route would be a Ruger P series in 9mm or .40 S&W. They aren't beautiful, but they're probably the strongest thing out there.

I suppose my ability to answer your question would be dependent on what your really looking for, for instance, how much do you really want to kill things and how much do you just want to shoot. For handguns that are just fun to shoot, I would have to recomend a s&w 22a, there are a number of other 22 autos that are in the same category, nothing agains them, the smith just fit me the best. browning buck mark, ruger has theirs, and i believe beretta makes one also. they are some of the best "plinkers" i have ever found and there is almost no recoil. I taught my sister how to shoot mine and she absolutely loved it. If you are more of a wheel gun man, I have also had very positive experieces with ruger single six, that one has the advantage of being able to change the cylender and firing either .22LR or .22MAG. if you go up from there in power there arent a whole lot of options for things that kick less then a 38 spl.

A ruger single six in 32 mag. is a light recoil handgun that falls between the 22mag and the 357mag. A real nice gun to shoot a lot of fun!

Thank you, gentlemen. One other important aspect I forgot to mention is that I'm talking about someone with small hands, so the size of the frame, the grip, etc., will all be a factor for her to be comfortable handling the handgun. I'll look into the Sig, S&W and Ruger pistols.

We want to be able to defend the homestead or the campsite, killing would always be the final option. Being prepared to do so, however, is a really big responsibility, but a very real one for those who choose to be armed with a weapon. For home I have the 12ga, but it isn't so simple out in the boonies where we're in the critters' territory. I've had enough experiences with fresh animal tracks and other signs of dangerous animals around our campsites to realize that sometimes the tooth and claw must be met with the lead and powder.

Myself, I do prefer the wheelgun, but I don't believe my wife has a preference. I did a search for a 22mag revolver and found one by Taurus (941). Any experience with it?

Thanx again.

Since you allready have the Security Six, get some 148 Grain Wadcutters and let her try them before making any purchase, as she gains more confidence in herself, she may want something with more power. Then work her up to the loads she can tolerate. A gun chambered for the .32 H&R Magnum can also shoot .32 shorts and Longs as well. Recoil of the .32 Short is not much diffrent than a .22 Magnum. Let your wife decide what she likes, then go from there. My wife's favorite is my S&W 1955 N frame Target model with a 6" barel in .45ACP. She can keep all shots in the 10 ring of a B 27 target at 25 yards, and 4 out of six at the 50 yard mark. (Moral of story, Dont get her mad!).

Lee L.

With small hands, a J Frame S&W, in either .22LR, or .32 would be a good one to try. Check the used gun market, sometimes there are some good deals on these. Rossi and Taurus both make small framed guns in these calibers that are in the same size catagory of the J Frame S&W.

Lee L.

The New Model Ruger Singel Six 32 H&Rmagnum is a small frame wheel gun, cost around $329 and up depending on location. Has a bit more umph than the 22 mag, cost more to shoot though!

For defense and small game hunting, I would think this be a better gun than 22mag.

You could always pick up some lightly loaded .38s for your .357 and have take a crack at them.

Recoil is a matter of practice and acclimation.

Have her start with a .22 and work her way up. Go to the gun store and find what fits her hand. FWIW, the single-action Blackhawks are pretty good for people with small hands, as are the old security-six Rugers.

A .357 Blackhawk is heavy enough to be very managable under recoil; yet certainly packs a punch. You'll be trading muzzle-flip for recoil, which some people like and some don't.

Another thought is the ported .357s like the Taurus Trackers. I don't care for ported guns but it might help a lot.

I do think that the answer is just a lot of practice with the small calibers before moving up.

22 is probably the best bet because the recoil is absolutely the lightest AND you can shoot lots and lots for way less $$$.

Shooting a lot with good technique can develop some good habits. The best I ever shot was the year I shot 10,000+ rounds through my Beeman airgun. When I picked up a centerfire firearm, all that practice translated to better shooting with a bigger gun.

Rebar,

There are so many variables. My wife shoots a Colt 1991-A1 in .45 ACP just fine, but refuses to shoot my over-under derringer in 9x19mm. Go out to the range and see if you can get folks to let your wife try their handguns. This is what we did for my wife.

Lobo in West Virginia

The Security Six with light bullet 38 loads has very little recoil. The wadcutter loads are also good for practice. The Cor Bon 110 gr load will work for defense against 2 legged critters. For bigger 4 legged critters, the 180 gr Federal Castcore 357 load would be good. There are lots of custom grips out there that you can try for size. I'm sure you can find one fit.

The .38 special is a natural progression from the .22
If you have trouble finding wadcutter loads and don't reload try cowboy loads. They are down loaded just for the reason of minimizing recoil for speed shooting. In the same vein, 38 S&W longs will also work, they have about zero recoil out of a full size revolver.

I would stick with what you have currently for starters. Make a couple changes though if you have not thought of them.

For her, Id go earmuffs and plugs. The noise with a revolver can be tough to get used to. Have you tried Pachmyr's Decellerator grips? They really work in soaking up felt recoil and can help with fit to her hand. What about a shooting glove?

As for ammo, I would go with the lightest 110 grain factory loads I could find. Either that or load your own.

Barring that I would look for a SP101 in .22LR. They are nice and heavy but fit small hands pretty well and then the progression back to the Security Six would be pretty natural.

I have a Taurus 941 and like it a lot. However, since you already have the .357, i agree with several of the others. Either load or get some .38 Spl wadcutters and let her try them (with good hearing protection).
Even if you do get a .22, use the hearing protectors. For some reason, the crack of a .22 hurts my ears more than the report of a centerfire.

There have been A LOT of good suggestions posted to my question. I appreciate it very much. I'm not expecially knowledgeable about the different calibers of handguns available, so the opinions here have been very informative.

One of the best suggestions, I think, is to have her shoot several different weapons and discover where her preferences are. Like I previously posted, the only conditions I have to start with are her very small hands and her objection to the recoil of the 357/38. She may or may not become accustomed to the recoil after some time, but not if she refuses to shoot it.

Ultimately, I would like to get a levergun in 357/38 to compliment the Ruger. Perhaps we'll be able to find a handgun / rifle combo for her, too. I've seen her shoot, she's pretty good, she just doesn't like a lot of recoil.

How does the barrel length effect the recoil? ?Longer barrel - less recoil?

David

How does the barrel length effect the recoil? ?Longer barrel - less recoil?

David

Easiest way to think of that is the longer the barrel, the more weight you have in the gun and that reduces felt recoil. But there are other factors to concider there as well. If you have a longer barrel and the powder to burn in it, then you have more velocity and that helps increase recoil so it is a trade off.

New can of worrms, I know.

Wish I could be more help but there are others out there who can.

Good luck.

Isn't it cool how most women can just shoot? :)

Isn't it cool how most women can just shoot? :)

I think it's genetic, my mother-in-law shot a predator in the chicken coop from their back porch with a handgun and hit the thing 6 times! Dead eye!!

Unless I missed it, you didn't indicate if you reload or not? If you reload, there are a number of cartridges that can be loaded very light yet have the capability for much heavier loads. Also, you might want to consider the newer .17 (corrected from previous post of ".117"....I'm old, not stupid..I hope) that Hornady produced several years ago and appears to have a good following. I certainly agree with the .32 H&R recommendations also.

Dan